Exceptional Educator: Jeff Clear, Atheneum School

School districts go through a lot of changes every year. Veteran teachers retire, some switch districts and some are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed right out of college. 

In an effort to keep Inver Grove Heights parents up to date on who is heading up local classrooms, we're lauching our newest feature Exceptional Educator. 

Each week we'll try to introduce one new teacher to the community. If your child raves about him or her or if you've had a great conference or interaction with that particular teacher, let folks know in the comment stream. 

Inver Grove Heights Patch: How long have you been teaching? 

Jeff Clear: While it seems like just yesterday that I had my first classroom, I have been teaching for 20 years. It didn't really sink in that it has been that long until last summer when I was invited to the wedding of two former students who I'd had as sixth graders. In my head they are still 11 years old.

Patch: Where did you teach before coming to IGH?

Clear: I have taught in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Most recently, I was a Reading Interventionist in Burnsville.

Patch: What do you feel is the best part of your job? 

Clear: The best part of my job is that it is never boring. Every day brings something new... whether I planned for it or not. Working in the Atheneum School keeps me on my toes. The students are constantly making insights I hadn't considered or asking questions which can lead lessons on some exciting tangents.

Patch: What is your proudest teaching moment? 

Clear: It's not a single moment... but rather that moment in time where a student who has been struggling with mastering a curricular or behavioral goal finally gets it after a lot of hard work. The pride and joy the students express at these times is what made all the struggle worth it.

Patch: What do you hope to bring to your IGH classroom?

Clear: I hope to be able to bring my love of interdisciplinary learning to the students. Making connections between math, science, social studies and art is what brings all the subjects to life.

Patch: If you left teaching tomorrow, what profession would you go into? Why?

Clear: I think I would go to art school. It was something I was passionate about as a teen, but I got out of the practice of creating on a regular basis. I also enjoyed being able to see the progress being made as I worked.